high school senior is
On and off the mat,
high school senior is
‘just a regular guy’
Inspirational. Heroic. Courageous. All of these words are used to describe athletes, often to excess. But there’s no overstating the accomplishments of Brick Township High School’s Tom Ferrante. When the Green Dragon senior was beaten in the preliminary round of the Region IV tournament March 4 after taking second in District 23 at 119 pounds, it marked an end to what was a highly successful high school wrestling career, and closed the book on what has been a remarkable story of overcoming adversity.
At 10 months old, Ferrante became a bilateral amputee when he had a portion of both legs removed. As a standout wrestler, he has more than learned to overcome his unique physical challenge. His commitment to excellence and competitive spirit allowed him not only to compete, but also to excel in a sport that is renowned for its competitiveness within the Shore Conference.
However, as remarkable as his wrestling prowess is, it pales in comparison to another of Ferrante’s talents — his ability to make you forget he’s handicapped. Family and friends alike refer to Tom as "just a regular guy," and point to his character as his greatest trait. Whether he’s at the mall shopping with friends or working hard at earning money for car insurance, Ferrante manages to live the life of a normal 18-year-old.
Tom Ferrante exemplifies everything that is great about high school athletics. And as he moves to college at Lafayette in Easton, Pa., to study engineering, he is sure to face many more challenges in his life. Just don’t expect any of them to slow him down.
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